Recommend: The evolving ownership of accounting firms (part 2)

The first article in this series discusses aspects of the history of accounting firm mergers and acquisitions. The evolution of firm ownership continues to advance with Private Equity (PE) active in the acquisition of accounting businesses. What lessons can be gained from the Consolidators? PARTNER DISCONNECT I have interviewed several partners who sold their accountancy…

Focus: The changing role of accounting education in a digital world

Artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and other emerging technologies are transforming the way businesses operate and as these tools reshape industries, the role of chartered accountants (CAs) continues to evolve. Key questions are: what exactly is a CA’s role in a digital business ecosystem, and how are tomorrow’s CAs being equipped with the digital fluency and…

Focus: AI and the accountant of the future

Artificial intelligence is changing accounting faster than universities can update their curricula. That was the starting point for of the SAICA and UCT Accounting Education Symposium, where presenters dug into what AI means for future accountants, how students are already using it, and why AI-enabled grading brings both efficiency and new complexity. AI AND ACCOUNTING…

Cover Story: Zanele Maduna CA(SA) – From profit to purpose

Disciplined, well-designed businesses are increasingly driving sustainable social impact. Instead of relying on donations or short-term grants, B2B social enterprises sell services to organisations and institutions. We asked Zanele Maduna CA(SA) to explain why. An estimated 10 million social enterprises operate globally. Those built on B2B models align closely with corporate ESG priorities while delivering…

Focus: How AI is re-shaping continuous professional development for the CA(SA)

The accountancy profession is at an educational inflection point. The profession has always evolved in response to economic, regulatory, and technological change. Today, however, the pace and nature of that change are fundamentally different. Artificial intelligence (AI) is not merely automating tasks; it is reshaping how knowledge is created, accessed, and applied. For the chartered…

Recommend: The tender trap: How bureaucracy and bid design are locking small businesses out of opportunity

For over a decade, much has been said about Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), its implementation, and the so-called ‘red tape’ that supposedly chokes innovation in South Africa’s economy. While there is truth in the idea that regulatory burdens can be heavy, particularly for businesses navigating the government procurement space, the reality is far more nuanced…